Authored By: Iris Garrett
Managing a solo practice can bear a lot of responsibilities for an attorney, but it can also bring opportunities that may not be available if they worked at a larger firm. One such opportunity for solo lawyers is reinvention. In an article on the Lawyerist.com, Megan Zavieh says reinvention can come in many forms, but most attorneys reinvent themselves by turning to a new practice area.
Zavieh says new practice areas not only expose solo attorneys to a wider pool of potential clients, but they open doors for those who are growing tired of their current practice area or who have learned a new skill. She says there are instances, however, where adopting a new practice area is not going to be completely up to you. Zavieh says laws can also affect which area you choose to be your firm’s focus. She says sometimes legislation can wipe out a practice area, and other times it create entirely new ones. For example, there is now a growing need for attorneys to practice marijuana law as the drug becomes legalized in several states, and more personal injury attorneys will soon be needed for a new field, protecting those injured by self-driving cars.
Zavieh says if there is a new practice area that has piqued your interest, you have several resources to increase your competence in that area. She says researching the legislative history, regulations, or any key cases that relate to your new practice area is a good start. She also says looking to online articles, CLE presentations, or other publications will provide basic background knowledge as you become more comfortable with your new focus. One final thing to master your new practice area is seeking out mentors. Zavieh says not only will mentors help guide your growing expertise, but they will connect you to others working in your chosen field. She says following these steps and continuing to educate yourself will make reinvention a breeze and help redefine the work of your solo law firm.
To read Megan Zavieh’s full article, click here.
Photo Credit: gstockstudio
